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Once your beloved cat reaches senior age, you will need to make changes to his diet and physical activity. This should come as no surprise, since a senior cat’s nutrition and exercise requirements are far different from those of a young cat. At this time, health issues can start to emerge, so you need to be observant when it comes to your pet’s behaviour. When is a cat truly considered elderly? Generally, most cats reach their senior status between 11-14 years of age. According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP), below are the various life stages for cats according to age ranges: ⦁ Seven to 10 years: Mature to middle-aged ⦁ 11 to 14 years: Senior ⦁ More than 15 years: Geriatric You should know what to expect at every life stage of a senior cat as some will become le...

The average lifespan of pet cats has risen in recent years to 15 years of age, but according to some statistics strictly indoor cats can live to 20 years or more, which is a longer life than cats who are allowed to roam freely, or are kept as indoor-outdoor cats. The reason for this varies but generally it is because keeping cats indoors limits the likelihood of them becoming hurt or sick from outside factors like parasites, illnesses, or getting run over by cars. However, simply keeping your cat inside is not enough to ensure that it is living the highest quality of life. Here are some things you can do to greatly improve your cat’s indoor life: 1. Set aside some time to bond with your cat Cats can find ways to entertain themselves. Considering that they sleep most of the day, (cats sleep...

You’re bringing your new little kitten home with you and you can’t stop gushing about this new little furball that already fills your heart with love. You envision your future together and want the best for your kitten’s physical and emotional health, so what are your next steps to ensuring the best emotional bond between you and your new companion? Here are 5 proven ways to bond with your new kitten that will have lifelong positive effects for the both of you! 1. Give your kitten a new name When you bring home a new kitten, one of the most exciting things is giving your cat a name. By giving your new kitten a name, you’re essentially telling the world that this is the name you’ve chosen and that you’re going to provide for this sweet new kitten. In some cultures, the naming ritual is a ve...

Anyone who has ever had an allergy knows they can make life miserable, and our feline companions are no different. Therefore, it is important to recognise the symptoms of your cat’s specific allergy so that you can take the appropriate steps to eliminate the allergen, or at least alleviate their symptoms. There is a wide range of allergens that can cause allergies in cats, but they can be divided into four categories. Flea allergies Flea allergies are very common in cats. While a normal cat experiences little to no discomfort from a flea bite, a cat that is allergic to fleas will have a severe reaction caused by a single flea bite. The main symptom of a flea allergy is intense itching which will likely cause your cat to scratch and bite the affected area to such an extent that it wil...

Owning a cat is wonderful. Your kitty brings love and joy to your home and you simply can’t stop pampering your little ball of fur. However, considering that your beloved kitty has fur, you have to be prepared for dander, dirt and lots and lots of mess. Of course, keeping your home clean is important due to health hazards that can be dangerous both for you and your kitty. But have no fear, we are here to help. This guide will help you keep your home clean and your kitty healthy. Clean bed and bedclothes It’s normal to clean your bed and wash the bedclothes every ten to fourteen days. However, when you’re a cat owner you have to clean two beds. Every week you have to devote a part of your time to cleaning your beloved kitty’s bed. Why? Well, their beds collect just as much, if n...

Whoever called it “puppy eyes” clearly hasn’t seen a cat staring at them while they eat. The sad little meow, or even the violent glare of “how dare you not share food with me, human!” is not an easy thing to escape. And then they put their little paws on us and we just turn into mush and hand them whatever we were eating. A lot of cat owners are a little guilty of giving just a tad too many treats to their beloved pet, but even if you’ve learned some restraint, your cat could still benefit from a balanced diet and specially prepared meals for them. If you want to make sure your fluffy ball of cuteness is fit and healthy, we’ve got a few nutritional tips just for you. Protein and other necessary nutrients Cats need to eat meat. It’s absolutely essential for muscle development and stamina; ...

Even if your home has a dog or two, chances are, somewhere in you there’s a person wanting to release their inner feline side and introduce a cat to the family. However, if that’s what you are wanting to do, don’t just rush out and get the first cat you can find and bring it home with you. To make sure you get the best results that keep your canine and feline happy, give some thought to the best ways you can bring these opposite animals together in a peaceful fashion. If you’re ready to take the plunge and have a dog-cat household, here are some great tips you can use along the way. Have a well-trained dog If your dog hasn’t been to obedience school or perhaps needs a refresher course, now would be the perfect time to act on this. By doing this before you intr...

The times are changing, and it would seem that our pets are becoming even more important to us than they ever were. The number of households owning a pet cat is rising, and this doesn’t seem all that surprising given the fact that cats are pretty amazing. They’re our furry balls of snuggle and excitement, and we want to give them the best possible care. The depth of their loyalty and affection for you is so pure and honest, that it’s very difficult not to count your kitten as one of the family members. Want to know how to better care for your darling kitty? Then let’s take a look at the popular trends and novelties in the world of cat care. Travelling with cats Our pet is generally the first family member we start to miss when we go away on vacation. More and more people don’t want to leav...

Earlier this month we were contacted by Petcube asking if we would review their latest product called Petcube Play. Petcube Play is the next-generation of the Petcube Camera, the original interactive pet camera launched by the San Francisco startup in 2014. It helps cat owners to see, talk and have fun with their cats from their smartphone anytime, anywhere. Redesigned to be more compact, Petcube Play promotes real-time play and exercise with an optimised laser toy, and autoplay mode enables regular playtime when owners’ busy schedules get in the way. Petcube Play’s wide angled camera comes with features, including clear 1080p HD video, 24/7 video recording, 3x digital zoom, two-way audio, sound and motion alerts, and night vision. Petcube started selling Petcube Play in mid-November 2016,...

Bringing a new kitten home for the first time is an exciting and memorable experience. But it’s important that you do your best to make sure your kitten can get settled into its new family. Follow these tips to help your kitten thrive in its first few weeks at home. 1. Be patient Although it can be easy to get swept up in the excitement of the occasion, try to remember that your little kitten is just a baby that needs to be given time before it is ready to come back with you. When it comes to kitchen development the best age to adopt is between ten and twelve weeks. This extra time spent with its mother and siblings is important for its development and it gives time to get used to contact with humans. Your patience will pay off when your kitten is less stressed and better adjusted to being...

A while back, when Larry was given the job of Downing Street mouser-in-chief, I found myself drawing a cartoon series for a Sunday newspaper. Described as the political mewsings of Larry it allowed me to imagine a cat’s eye view of the goings on behind the country’s most famous front door. I realised I was following in a noble tradition of cat cartoonists, for cats have been a favourite subject for some 150 years. The great Punch cartoonist Sir John Tenniel created the definite Cheshire Cat for Alice in Wonderland – the cat that slowly vanished leaving only its grin behind. His life overlapped with the most celebrated cat cartoonist of all Louis Wain who made a living drawing cats with extraordinarily large eyes and very human characteristics. I remember my grandmother had a cat called aft...